Fundraiser is Nov. 12 in Algiers Point for injured chef at Dry Dock Cafe

A while back, I was going door-to-door in Old Algiers, delivering postcards about one of the library Author Nights. I was on Slidell Street and it was getting late. A big, black Suburban came up behind me, moving slowly. Windows were tinted and I couldn’t see inside until it came up next to me. The window went down and revealed the grinning face of Will Gaines, the head chef at Dry Dock Café. He has such a kind smile.

A fundraiser will be held Nov. 12 at Dry Dock Cafe in Algiers Point for head chef Will Gaines, who was injured in an accident.

A New Orleans Culinary Institute graduate, he’s been at Dry Dock for about 10 years, and everyone — management, staff and customers — loves him.

On Sept. 27, he left work in the evening and headed toward his home on Thayer Street. He was on his motorcycle, riding along Opelousas, when a car backed out from a driveway in front of him. He hit his brakes, slid into a parked car and flipped over it.

“His helmet was in about 20 pieces,” said Nathan Roper, a friend who went to the scene of the accident, near the salon on Opelousas between Pacific and Atlantic. “He severed his jugular vein,” said Carrie Bennett, Gaines’ co-worker.

When she heard what happened, Bennett called Roper and they both went to Gaines’ home to alert his wife, Angel.

“He was right around the corner from his house. You could stand on his porch and see the accident.” Bennett said. Fortunately, none of his children saw what happened. The Gaines have five children: Tamia, who is 8; Taniya, 2; Shawn, 15; and DJ and Wilnesha, both 17.

Will Gaines could easily have died that night. “The fire department was on the scene first,” Bennett said, “because we have that fire department right on Opelousas … God.”

Gaines spent a week-and-a-half in ICU and a total of four weeks in the hospital. When he finally went home, he developed a blood infection. Now, his injuries, no longer life-threatening, remain career-threatening. “He broke every bone in his arm, ripped his tendons basically out of the roots. His hand is mangled,” Bennett said. “They were telling his mom at the beginning to prepare him that he might lose the arm,” but after four surgeries that no longer seems likely.

There is still concern that he will not regain function in the arm, and there will probably be more surgeries.

Best-case scenario, it’s still a long road, likely months or years of physical therapy. And there’s still the possibility he won’t recover sufficiently to resume his career.

“As a chef, you need two hands. I’ve never heard of a one-armed chef … yet,” Bennett said.

On Nov. 12, Dry Dock Café, 133 Delaronde, is hosting a fundraiser for the Gaines family. They have health insurance, but with Will out of work and some medical payments required along with the normal bills, it’s a tough time for the family. Just a year and a half ago, they bought their house on Thayer, and with five children, the expenses add up fast.

Bennett said, “The band starts at 7 p.m., and goes until 10. At 10 p.m., we’re going to have a buffet, followed by a silent auction, which includes a football signed by Drew Brees. We’ll have art, antiques, restaurant gift certificates, liquor baskets, wine baskets. There’s a 50/50 raffle, and the tickets are available here (at Dry Dock Café) and at Michelli’s (5163 Gen. de Gaulle Drive) and Old Point Bar (545 Patterson Drive).”

So buy some tickets, which are $2 each, and attend the fundraiser if you can. It will be a fun night, and Will’s a good and kind man, a hard worker who is eager to get back to work. I spoke with him last weekend and he said, “Right now I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m lucky to be alive and I truly am grateful. I’m just hoping for the best.”

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On Oct. 27, United Churches of Algiers suffered the loss of Audronnie Yvonne Allen, the Thrift Shop manager, who died at her home. Executive Director Sheila Riviore said, “She was employed with United Churches for almost 25 years and will be sadly missed. She was not just an employee but she was a friend. Over the past 10 years, we’d worked together,” and become close friends.

“I don’t know how I’m going to make it without her. This office expansion we’ve taken on was supposed to be a happy one, you see — her Thrift Shop was going to be great. Now, I know, although difficult, I will have to do my very best to make her proud of our accomplishments.”

Riviore asks that the community keep Allen in our thoughts and prayers.

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The Kiwanis Club of Algiers – Morning Edition meets every Thursday morning from 7 to 8 at the Aurora Tennis and Swim Club. This morning, Chris Kane, president of the Algiers Economic Development Foundation, and Commander Heather Kouts, of the NOPD Fourth, will join the club in honoring Jason Hickman as officer of the quarter. Next week, Warren “Jiggs” Forrest, club member and WWII veteran, will report on his recent trip retracing his march with Patton through Europe. Guests are always welcome.

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The Helping Hand circle of Trinity Lutheran Church is holding its annual rummage sale this Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at 438 Olivier St. All proceeds will benefit outreach projects.

Amy Hubbell is an Algiers resident who writes about people and events in the community. To reach her, call her at 504.322.7479 or email her at amyhubbell@aol.com.